Linux's default file that defines what DNS servers will be used /etc/resolv.conf typically contains directives with the default search domain or domains; used for FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) completion when no domain suffix is supplied as part of the DNS query. Lets say sub-domains under domain.com has to be accessed (in /etc/resolv.conf) there is:

search domain.com

That is very handy whether you have to ssh or open in web browser (sites) or multiple servers each residing under a single main domain name (for example:server1.domain.com, server2.domain.com, server3.domain.com etc.) by typing in browser or SSH by only passing the sub-domain name i.e.:

http://server1 http://server2

or

ssh user@server1ssh user@server2

Here is /etc/resolv.conf from pc-freak.net

# cat /etc/resolv.conf

domain pc-freak.net search pc-freak.net bergon.net

Here is example of what I mean,ascii-games is a sub-domain of pc-freak.net (ascii-games.pc-freak.net) and is resolved with no need to type full FQDN

# host ascii-gamesascii-games.pc-freak.net has address 83.228.93.76

The DNS server knows that all failed to resolve queries by set DNS should be searched (resolved) under the defined search domain, i.e. each DNS query for server2, serverX (would try to be resolved as a subdomain of domain.com).

Therefore, a very good question is what is Microsoft Windows (2000, 2003, 8) OS equivalent way to define search domain.com into /etc/resolv.conf?

In Windows the same /etc/resolv.conf hosts search is done using the so called "DNS Suffixes".

DNS Suffixesare used for resolv of (domain name strings with no dots).

Adding a new DNS Suffix in Windows is done from

Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center-> Change Adapter Settings

Here select LAN card Adapter used to bring Internet to Win host,be it Local Area Connection or

Wireless Network Connection

and choose:

Properties

From

Network Connection Properties

dialog select

Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

and again click on

Properties

On next dialog click on

Advanced (button)-> DNS (tab)

In field

DNS Suffix for this connection

fill in host which you would like to resolve with no need for FQDN and press the